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LiveChat vs Microsoft Bot Framework

LiveChat logo

LiveChat

Software

Customer service software that delights

From
$20/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Microsoft Bot Framework logo

Microsoft Bot Framework

Software

Microsoft's framework for building intelligent bots

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: LiveChat the Starter plan retains only 60 days of chat history, so an audit trail requires the Team plan at $49 per person per month; Microsoft Bot Framework the SDK is MIT licensed and free, but running a bot in production still requires a paid Azure Bot Service or Azure compute resource
  • They diverge on capability: LiveChat covers Live chat, Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which LiveChat and Microsoft Bot Framework actually diverge.

Attributes where LiveChat and Microsoft Bot Framework differ
AttributeLiveChatMicrosoft Bot Framework
Starting price$20/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, Android, DesktopWeb, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice
Founded20021975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in LiveChat

  • Live chat
  • Ticketing
  • Chat routing
  • Analytics
  • Canned responses
  • File sharing
  • Shopify
  • WordPress

Only in Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Bot Builder
  • Language Understanding (LUIS)
  • QnA Maker
  • Multi-channel support
  • Teams
  • Slack
  • Facebook
  • Telegram

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

LiveChat

  • Live chat support on a website with agent routingnot Microsoft Bot Framework
  • Handling customer conversations across chat, SMS and messaging channelsnot Microsoft Bot Framework

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • Customer engagementnot LiveChat
  • Lead generationnot LiveChat
  • Customer supportnot LiveChat
  • Sales automationnot LiveChat

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

LiveChat

  • The Starter plan retains only 60 days of chat history, so an audit trail requires the Team plan at $49 per person per month
  • Pricing is per agent, so support cost scales with headcount rather than with conversation volume
  • AI reply suggestions are capped by plan, at 3 knowledge sources on Starter and 10 above it
  • Surveys and eye catchers are predefined rather than customisable below the Enterprise plan
  • SSO, white labelling and HIPAA compliance are Enterprise only

Microsoft Bot Framework

  • The SDK is MIT licensed and free, but running a bot in production still requires a paid Azure Bot Service or Azure compute resource

Pricing, plan by plan

LiveChat

$20/month
  • Starter$20/month
    • 60-day chat history
    • Basic customization
    • Ticketing system
  • Team$41/month
    • Unlimited history
    • Advanced reporting
    • Branding removal
  • Business$59/month
    • Staffing prediction
    • Work scheduler
    • Apple Business Chat
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Product training
    • SSO

Microsoft Bot Framework

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Bot Framework SDK
    • Azure Bot Service basic
  • Standard$0.5/month
    • Advanced connectors
    • Premium support
  • Premium$undefined/month
    • Enterprise features
    • Dedicated support

Which should you pick?

Choose LiveChat if

  • You need live chat.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want ticketing.
LiveChat review

Choose Microsoft Bot Framework if

  • You need bot builder.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
  • You also want language understanding (luis).
Microsoft Bot Framework review

Questions people ask

Is LiveChat or Microsoft Bot Framework better?
Neither clearly leads. LiveChat starts at $20/month and Microsoft Bot Framework at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, LiveChat or Microsoft Bot Framework?
Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $20/month for LiveChat and Free for Microsoft Bot Framework.
Does LiveChat or Microsoft Bot Framework run on more platforms?
LiveChat runs on Web, Ios, Android, Desktop. Microsoft Bot Framework runs on Web, Mobile, Messaging apps, Voice.
Can I use Microsoft Bot Framework for free?
Yes. Microsoft Bot Framework has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. LiveChat starts at $20/month.
What is LiveChat best used for?
LiveChat is most often used for live chat support on a website with agent routing, handling customer conversations across chat, sms and messaging channels. Of those, live chat support on a website with agent routing and handling customer conversations across chat, sms and messaging channels are not what Microsoft Bot Framework is typically brought in for.
What can LiveChat do that Microsoft Bot Framework cannot?
LiveChat covers Live chat, Ticketing, Chat routing, Analytics. Microsoft Bot Framework covers Bot Builder, Language Understanding (LUIS), QnA Maker, Multi-channel support. Both handle Web support.
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Related pages

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